The Pawnee Bird Tour is a self-guided drive across the grassland

The Pawnee National Grassland is known among birdwatchers, and the Forest Service has laid out a self-guided driving route to make the most of it: the Pawnee Bird Tour. It runs about 21 miles, starting near the Crow Valley Recreation Area by Briggsdale and winding through a mix of prairie, fields, and brushy draws that draw different birds.

This is a slow drive, not a quick one. The route follows county roads that are mostly unpaved and gravel, and a relaxed tour with stops takes roughly three to four hours. You stay in or near your vehicle for much of it, which works in your favor, since a car often makes a better bird blind than a person on foot.

A few practical notes. After rain or snowmelt, these dirt roads can turn muddy and slick, so check conditions and watch the sky. The grassland is a checkerboard of public and private land, so respect fences and posted boundaries and do not assume open ground is public. Bring water, a full tank, and a paper map or downloaded route, since cell service out here is spotty.

You can pick up the bird tour pamphlet and map from the Forest Service, which lists the stops and the birds you might see along the way. Start with the Forest Service Pawnee Bird Tour page.